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Real Talk

Real Talk. Depression, Suicide Prevention& Self Injury.

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Real Talk

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  1. Real Talk Depression, Suicide Prevention& Self Injury

  2. Knowing the difference between the daily turmoil of growing up and the darkness of diagnosable depression may mean the difference between life and death. Left untreated, depression can lead to and be the underlying cause of eating disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, headaches, and even result in suicide – which is now approaching the second leading cause of adolescent death. Did you know that approximately 14 teens die at their own hands daily, adding up to 5,000 reported teen suicides annually?

  3. The Fact’s • Clinical depression affects 15 million Americans every year. Approximately 3 to 5 percent of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year…that means approximately two million people. • Approximately 25% of high school students seriously consider suicide each year, and over the past 35 years, the youth suicide rate in the U.S. has tripled.

  4. Depression is not a weakness, it's a serious health disorder. • Symptoms of depression include, among others: Feelings of sadness and hopelessness; an inability to make decisions; loss of interest in ordinary activities; loss of appetite and radical behavioral changes. • Among people who are experiencing severe depression, 80-90 percent are treatable. National Institute of Mental Health stats

  5. What is Depression?How is it Related to Suicide and Self Injury?

  6. Self Injury … how is this related? • Also known as SIV, or Self-Inflicted Violence– • When a person physically abuses their bodies as an alternative to facing emotional struggles. • Forms of SIV include: cutting, scratching, or burning oneself; picking scabs or interfering with wound healing; punching objects to purposely hurt oneself; and some forms of hair-pulling.

  7. Reaching Out for Help • If you or someone you know purposely cuts, burns, or bruises their bodies, you should seek help from an adult IMMEDIATELY. • Although people who perform SIV do not want to die, complications from injuries can lead to infection, illness, and possibly even death. • If you perform SIV, tell an adult you trust-- perhaps a family member, friend, or counselor. Or call a confidential mental health hotline (listed below in Resources). Admitting that you have a problem and wanting to stop are the first steps to becoming SIV-free.

  8. Try to find other means of letting out your sadness or anger. If you are angry or frustrated, consider hitting a punching bag, tearing up an old newspaper or phone book, or throwing ice into a bathtub hard enough to shatter it. • Do crossword puzzles or close your eyes and lie down, focusing on the way you breathe. Do something that takes thought and concentration to distract yourself from wanting to hurt yourself.

  9. What to Look Out For… • A recent suicide in the family or friend. Teens are especially vulnerable when a close family member or friend commits suicide. The grieving process and depression can interrupt normal thought processes. • Trouble coping with recent losses, death, divorce, moving, break-ups, etc. • Experience with a traumatic event. Sometimes a significant traumatic event can create feelings of hopelessness and despair. • Making final arrangements, such as writing a will or eulogy, or taking care of details (i.e. closing a bank account).

  10. Gathering of lethal weapons (purchasing weapons, collecting pills, etc.). • Giving away prized possessions such as clothes, CD's, sports equipment, treasured jewelry, etc. • Preoccupation with death, such as death and/or 'dark' themes in writing, art, music lyrics, etc. Note that today's music has more of this and is not necessarily related to suicidal feelings. • Sudden changes in personality or attitude, appearance, chemical use, or school behavior.

  11. Resources • With–In Our School • Visit Student Services • Counselors • Farah Evans (A-E) • Jodi Dubbs (F-K) • Marjorie Ford (L-Q) • William Schwarz (R-Z) • School Psychologist • Jeff Leard

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